Ad agencies opening up for IPO | PolTek's take on influencers in political campaigns | Marketing code for pharma companies and more

Why are ad agencies joining the IPO party?

RK Swamy Ltd, an integrated marketing communications company, got listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) after launching its initial public offering (IPO) on March 4.

India, which comprises of 40,275 advertising agencies, out of them, only a handful have opened up to seeking public funds. Bright Outdoor Media, specialising in out-of-home (OOH) media, has been in the business for the last 44 years.

On March 24, 2023, the company launched an IPO, and Crayons Advertising Ltd, an ‘integrated marketing and communications agency’, which has been around since 1986, went public on May 22, 2023.

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The strategic use of influencers has emerged as a powerful tool in political campaigns: PolTek

From billboards to influencers, the political landscape is shifting, and so are the tactics used to win elections. Gone are the days of solely relying on rallies and traditional media. Political campaigns now resemble big-brand marketing efforts, complete with strategic messaging, targeted social media plans, and even influencer partnerships.

IIT graduates, Parag Jain and Purnendu Chakraborty, directors at PolTek, a political consultancy that has worked parties and leadership across? Telangana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Himachal, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh and specializes in communication and campaign management, talk about these evolving trends.

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Marketing regulations: Govt issues marketing code for pharma companies

The Department of Pharmaceuticals issued the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024 to regulate interactions between pharma firms and healthcare professionals and ensure "transparency, integrity, and accountability" in the marketing of pharma products, laying particular emphasis on ethical practices within the industry.

Several key provisions have been outlined to govern the conduct of pharmaceutical companies and their representatives. An Ethics Committee for Pharma Marketing Practices (ECPMP) established within each association to ensure accountability and oversight, will address any violations of the code.

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Govt panel recommends new digital competition law to regulate Big Tech

The Committee on Digital Competition Law, formed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in February 2023, has recommended a new law and legislation to regulate the market power of Big Tech companies like Meta and Google.

The Committee was tasked with the responsibility of reviewing the current provisions of the Competition Act, 2002; assessing whether they are sufficient to deal with challenges that have emerged from the digital economy; and evaluating whether a separate legislation to regulate digital markets is needed.

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Interest in Olympics is growing in India: Visa’s Sujatha Kumar

Visa recently signed up Olympic gold medallist and World No. 1 men's javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra as a brand ambassador ahead of the Paris Olympics. Chopra’s collaboration with Visa makes him the second athlete from India after badminton superstar PV Sindhu to tie up with the card company.

Storyboard18 caught up with Sujatha V Kumar, head of marketing, Visa India and South Asia, to talk about the association with Chopra and the company’s plans for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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